Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

What is PRP?

PRP contains special cells called Platelets, that can theoretically cause growth of the hair follicles by stimulating the stem cells and other cells in the micro-environment of the hair follicle. These special Platelet cells promote healing, accelerates the rate and degree of tissue healing and regeneration, responds to injury, and formation of new cellular growth. The primary purpose of using PRP in hair restoration is to stimulate inactive or newly implanted hair follicles into an active growth phase.

Inside the Platelets are many intracellular structures such as glycogen, lysosomes and alpha granules. These granules within the PRP contain clotting and growth factors that are eventually released during the healing and repair process.

The Science of PRP

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in Hair Restoration

Individual results vary with each patient. No guarantees of success can be made but PRP preliminary studies indicate patients can respond to PRP therapy. Some hair restoration surgeons apply PRP to the scalp for those patients who are not surgical candidates every three (3) to four (4) months. Other protocols will use PRP before or during surgery to insure grafter survivability.

PRP is a potential emerging non-surgical based therapy for natural hair follicle stimulation for thinning hair. Larger clinical studies are pending but the current medical literature contains numerous optimistic results. Although a few controlled studies exist, anecdotal and case reports are the primary sources reflecting success with PRP therapy.

Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy in Skin Rejuvenation

Platelet Rich Plasma is a concentration of platelets in the blood that are crucial to wound healing. When used for skin rejuvenation, PRP releases growth factors into the skin to expedite the body’s own repair process and stimulate new collagen and elastin. A small blood sample is taken from your own body and the PRP is separated from the other components. The PRP is then topically applied to the skin immediately following a micro-needling procedure. The micro-channels created by micro-needling provide direct pathways to the deeper layers of skin for optimal wound healing. Micro-needling with PRP application is an ideal treatment for smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, and scars or even increasing plumpness and overall rejuvenation of the skin.

What is Micro-Needling?

The Eclipse MicroPen uses a sterile needle-tip containing 12 tiny micro-needles to create controlled micro-injuries to the skin. This initiates the skins repair process to naturally produce collagen and elastin, ideal for smoothing fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, traumatic scars, and stretch marks. Micro-channels created by the treatment allow for optimal absorption of topical products and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), enhancing their effects in the deeper layers of skin.

Dermatologist Dr. Seth L. Matarasso in San Francisco offers Mohs surgery, BOTOX® Cosmetic, dermal fillers including Restylane® and JUVÉDERM®, skin care products, and many other cosmetic enhancements. Dr. Matarasso also provides care for all medical dermatology treatments and serves all of San Francisco, and the Bay Area. Patients also travel from across the state of California and throughout the world.